Measurement of CO2 diffusivity for carbon sequestration: a microfluidic approach for reservoir-specific analysis

Environ Sci Technol. 2013 Jan 2;47(1):71-8. doi: 10.1021/es303319q. Epub 2012 Nov 1.

Abstract

Predicting carbon dioxide (CO(2)) security and capacity in sequestration requires knowledge of CO(2) diffusion into reservoir fluids. In this paper we demonstrate a microfluidic based approach to measuring the mutual diffusion coefficient of carbon dioxide in water and brine. The approach enables formation of fresh CO(2)-liquid interfaces; the resulting diffusion is quantified by imaging fluorescence quenching of a pH-dependent dye, and subsequent analyses. This method was applied to study the effects of site-specific variables--CO(2) pressure and salinity levels--on the diffusion coefficient. In contrast to established, macro-scale pressure-volume-temperature cell methods that require large sample volumes and testing periods of hours/days, this approach requires only microliters of sample, provides results within minutes, and isolates diffusive mass transport from convective effects. The measured diffusion coefficient of CO(2) in water was constant (1.86 [± 0.26] × 10(-9) m(2)/s) over the range of pressures (5-50 bar) tested at 26 °C, in agreement with existing models. The effects of salinity were measured with solutions of 0-5 M NaCl, where the diffusion coefficient varied up to 3 times. These experimental data support existing theory and demonstrate the applicability of this method for reservoir-specific testing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / chemistry*
  • Carbon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Carbon Sequestration*
  • Diffusion
  • Microfluidics
  • Salinity
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Water
  • Carbon Dioxide